BY NUMBERS
Spirited Luxury
Discover why one of Australia’s first outback luxury lodges is still exceeding expectations.
WORDS Ivy Carruth
The charter flight is cosy, and everyone has a window seat; we’re due to arrive at our destination in 40 minutes. Below, the landscape morphs quickly from Darwin’s (Garramilla) populated city centre to the blue infinity of the Arafura Sea, and we spot the red dirt runway that awaits us. As soon as we are on the ground, our baggage is whisked away and a cold drink appears, as if by magic. We board the open-air safari vehicle for transport to the main lodge, and the luxury outback adventure begins.
Forget what you [think you] know about the outback and its rugged mightiness. One visit to Seven Spirit Bay lodge in Arnhem Land (Miwatj) will soothe your soul in the way only nature can.
The drive through eucalypt scrub and blooming swamp wattle takes us past agile wallabies, endangered Banteng cows, and probably a legion of saltwater crocodiles. “Keep your eyes open for Sandbank deer and Timorese ponies,” Phil, one of the expert guides, tells us. If flying to Seven Spirit Bay sets the stage for what awaits us here, then the drive shines a light on the breathtaking biodiversity of our home for the next several days.
The best way to experience this luxury outback lodge? What if I said there isn’t one; this is very much a ‘choose your own adventure’ holiday. Be as active (or not) as your heart desires. Fish for snapper and mackerel under experienced tutelage – whatever you bring back, the lodge chefs create a feast of, or stay on dry land for birdwatching and wildlife spotting.
“One visit to Seven Spirit Bay in Arnhem Land will soothe your soul in the way only nature can.”
Some of my favourite moments include watching the sunrise from my bed every morning, fresh coffee in hand and mind digitally detoxed. My villa is a self-contained oasis of posh amenities, vast space and climate-controlled bliss. At night, when the heat has dissipated, I open the louvres for sultry breezes and nocturnal noises that sing you to sleep.
The ethos of the lodge has remained intact since its opening in 1990, even as its ownership changed. In 2015, Outback Spirit set about a $3.5 million renovation to improve the facilities, with the goal of creating a masterpiece of outback luxury lodge experiences. True to the pioneering vision on which it was founded, the lodge today operates in appreciation and cooperation with nature, while maintaining a first-class standard of hospitality.
Though my time here is short, I’ll never forget the sights and sounds of Seven Spirit Bay. It’s a spectacular marriage of adventure and opulence in all the ways that truly matter. Come and see for yourself.
Seven Spirit Bay by numbers…
Exceptional experiences, including 4WD Wilderness Safaris, Historical Victoria Settlement Tours and Deep Sea Sport Fishing.
Number of nights the average guest stays here.
Ways to arrive; via charter plane or boat.
Species of turtle in the waters: Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Flatback.
Number of luxe Habitat Villa accommodations scattered throughout the bush.
0
The number of emails you’ll receive while in your villa (you can connect at the main lodge).
Exceptional experiences, including 4WD Wilderness Safaris, Historical Victoria Settlement Tours and Deep Sea Sport Fishing.
Number of nights the average guest stays here.
Ways to arrive; via charter plane or boat.
Species of turtle in the waters: Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, Leatherback and Flatback.
Number of luxe Habitat Villa accommodations scattered throughout the bush.
0
The number of emails you’ll receive while in your villa (you can connect at the main lodge).